Bullet Points

[NSSF]

Vol. 5 No. 12 March 22, 2004


ANOTHER VERY BRADY LAWSUIT . . . Congress determined 10 years ago, in a law with an unusual provision to expire, or sunset, on September 13, 2004, that the only difference between a semi-automatic rifle and an "assault weapon" was the cosmetic one. In particular, a bayonet lug, pistol grip, and flash hider found on military arms were features that could also be found one at a time on a "civilian" rifle. But, combined as two or more of these "forbidden" accessories, these features make a semi-automatic into an "assault weapon." Apparently hoping to force re-enactment of the law with the same kind of confusion that worked so well a decade ago, The Brady Campaign is getting media attention with a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Justice Department for "allowing gun manufacturers to make thousands of new illegal assault weapons" when manufacturers were simply referred by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms to BATF regulations. The suit stems from information Brady just learned about, involving the procedure a manufacturer undertakes to replace the lower receiver on an AR-style firearm when it is defective. The lower receiver is the serial numbered firearm, but does not itself incorporate any of the "forbidden" features that make an "assault weapon." Oddly, Attorney General John Ashcroft is now being sued for the receiver replacement recommendations BATF advised , which were communicated in January of 1997, when then-President Bill Clinton's attorney general was Janet Reno.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED AND FIREARM SAFETY . . . This week's SI carries an ad promoting Project ChildSafe and its firearm safety message to the magazine's 3.15 million readers, just as distribution of ChildSafe gun locks and safety literature approaches the 7 million mark. The print ad and radio public service announcements (PSAs), featuring champion shooter Doug Koenig, can be downloaded from the Project ChildSafe Web site.

VOTE YOUR SPORT, PROTECT YOUR JOB . . . American businesses see promise this election year in programs that inform workers about the importance of securing their jobs by voting for candidates and issues that will help keep the employer profitable. In a Washington Post column you can read online, Jeffrey Birnbaum writes about how trade associations provide the means to register employees to vote and keep them informed about election issues. From the NSSF Web site, registering to vote is as easy as filling out a simple questionnaire at the Legislative Action Center and then following the instructions appropriate for the voter's state of residence. Such efforts to register and inform workers how to cast ballots in their own best interest have been shown to make the difference in recent elections. By one estimate, helping traveling workers fill out absentee ballots could mean an additional 1.9 million pro-business votes in the next national election. "It's great," agrees Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), who heads the Senate Republicans' reelection committee. "The more economically literate people who vote, the better."

STUNT WOMEN SHOOTERS . . .The Women and Guns Web site displays that magazine's cover story this month, an extensive feature by C.J. Songer you can read online about the recent Aiming for Accuracy seminar conducted in Hollywood by NSSF with The Outdoor Channel (TOC). It was a riveting three- day introduction to shooting safety for women who make their living dangerously in the movie industry. Participation by the Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures provided the seed of inspiration for Michael Bane's "Zero to Hero" episodes of Shooting Gallery airing this week and next on TOC. On the TV show, four relatively inexperienced shooters get a fast track training experience for a taste of what special operations forces need to know in the war on terrorism. To check air times in your area, visit http://www.outdoorchannel.com.

SHOOTING FOR WOMEN . . . Complimentary registrations are still available for a limited number of women and youths to attend the first Shooting for Women conference April 11 in Nashville, TN. Celebrity speakers, door prizes and a host of interesting topics are featured. Visit the event's Web site for details about FREE attendance and a schedule of seminars, plus ask for a free copy of the magazine, Shooting for Women.

ENFORCING EXISTING LAWS

GUN TRAFFICKING ARRESTS. . . Three Virginia men, including two who are Federal Firearms Licensees, are charged with illegal firearms trafficking in indictments announced by U.S. Attorney Paul J. McNulty. James E. Rice III, 41, part owner of J.E. Rice True Value Hardware in Manassas, was charged with selling two firearms to a known felon. Philip J. Bailey, 32, owner of federally licensed firearms dealership Manassas Gold & Pawn, was charged with transferring a firearm to a person he knew intended to use it to commit a drug-trafficking crime. Charles S. Hyink, 47, of Falls Church, is a clerk in the Cash Store Pawn Shop Inc., federally licensed to sell firearms. Hyink was charged with knowingly transferring a firearm to a person he knew intended to use it in a drug deal.

MARYLAND INDICTMENT . . . The Washington Times reports that Stephen P. Amos, an aide to former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, has been indicted for diverting $6.3 million in federal crime fighting funds to pay for staffers to work on Townsend's failed run for governor in 2002. Amos was the executive director of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) under Democratic Governor Parris N. Glendening and faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $750,000 if convicted.

AROUND THE STATES

COLORADO . . . Governor Owens has signed the bill recently passed unanimously by both houses of the legislature to protect discounted fees for young hunters. Those under 16 get a small game license for only a dollar, while kids 12 to 15 years old can hunt big game for a $10 fee.

ALABAMA. . . House Bill 590 would extend deer season another 15 days to hunters who would only take bucks with a rack of 6 points or better, with bow or firearms, at the cost of $20 dollars for Alabamans, $100 for out-of staters.

FLORIDA. . . Support is needed for SB-1152/HB-155 to stop government agencies from building illegal electronic databases of firearms and law-abiding firearms owners, and SB-1156/HB-149 halting agencies from filing lawsuits to shut down and bankrupt sport shooting ranges. Stay informed by signing up for the Unified Sportsmen of Florida's electronic newsletter with mail to USFINFO@aol.com

IOWA . . . House members unanimously voted to require deer and upland hunters to wear at least one article of blaze orange clothing, and the bill now goes to the state's Senate.

CALIFORNIA . . . Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger boosted NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE program with a mention of it on the state's Web site devoted to encouraging mentoring for kids to keep them out of trouble. The second item listed on the page of news releases mentions STEP OUTSIDE and NSSF's grant of $250,000 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters to expand the organization's Pass It On program, which encourages outdoor experiences for kids. Beginning in Kansas, there are now programs in California, Pennsylvania, Texas and Oregon.

GEORGIA . . . Modeled after the federal Moter Voter law that registers to vote those people with driver licenses, Georgia's Senate has unanimously acted to require businesses that sell hunting and fishing licenses to register voters. "NASCAR dads," those mostly rural family men some believe hold the key to the next presidential election, are the reason why. Both Democrats and Republicans are hopeful of getting more of them registered and counting on their votes this fall.

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